How to Kick Start your Music Career at Uni

Always loved music or singing as a hobby but want to take your talent to the next level? Well, being at university, where you’re constantly meeting new people, having new life experiences and growing as a person, makes it the ideal time to think about kick starting your career in the music industry. If you’re feeling stuck with where to even begin, then follow just a few of the suggestions below to help get you started…

Open mic nights

Whatever city you are studying in, big or small, it’s more than likely that there are lots of open mic nights available out there. While it might be a little daunting to start off with, especially if the only people you have ever performed in front of are your family and close friends, it is a great way to build your performance confidence and is also a great way to get to know other musicians of your age.

“… build your performance confidence …”

Even if the city that you are studying in doesn’t seem to have many open mic nights, why not make the effort to approach a few local pubs with the idea of launching a weekly or monthly open mic night.

The university radio station

Most universities have their own radio station - so at the beginning of the academic year, join the radio society. Not only is it great fun, (and looks good on your CV) but is also a great way to get your music out there. Being involved with the radio means you can recreate your own radio live lounge, where students can play their music for their fellow students to hear.

“... join the radio society.”

BBC Introducing

BBC Introducing brings together all of the BBC’s supporters of undiscovered and unsigned music. So why not upload your music with a chance to get it played on BBC radio shows, and you could even get yourself a slot on the BBC Introducing festival stages or on one of their introducing sessions.

“BBC Introducing ….”

If you want your music to be as professional as can be before you send your music in to BBC Introducing, consider getting it professionally recorded beforehand. While this may sound a little pricey and out of your student budget there are some affordable recording studios out there. One example is Fluke Productions, a recording studio in London, where recording rates with the producer are £30 per hour and an 8 hour booking is £200. Although even this may still seem too expensive, if you’re a band and the cost is split between you, it won’t work out to be so pricey and will be a worthwhile investment in the long term.